Hostname: page-component-cb9f654ff-nr592 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-08-15T12:47:54.309Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Milk immunoglobulins and complement factors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

Hannu Korhonen ,
P. Marnila  and
H. S. Gill
Hannu Korhonen*
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Centre of Finland, Food Research, FIN-31600 Jokioinen, Finland
P. Marnila
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Centre of Finland, Food Research, FIN-31600 Jokioinen, Finland
H. S. Gill
Affiliation:
Milk and Health Research Centre, Massey University and New Zealand Dairy Research Institute, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, New Zealand
*
*Corresponding author: Hannu Korhonen, fax +358-3-4188 3244, email hannu.j.korhonen@mtt.fi
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The importance of colostrum for the growth and health of newborn offspring is well known. In bovine colostrum, the antibody (immunoglobulin) complement system provides a major antimicrobial effect against a wide range of microbes and confers passive immunity until the calf's own immune system has matured. Bovine serum and lacteal secretions contain three major classes of immunoglobulins: IgG, IgM and IgA. The immunoglobulins are selectively transported from the serum into the mammary gland, as a result of which the first colostrum contains very high concentrations of immunoglobulins (40–200 mg/ml). IgG1 accounts for over 75 % of the immunoglobulins in colostral whey, followed by IgM, IgA and IgG2. All these immunoglobulins decrease within a few days to a total immunoglobulin concentration of 0.7–1.0 mg/ml, with IgG1 representing the major Ig class in milk throughout the lactation period. Together with the antibodies absorbed from colostrum after birth, the complement system plays a crucial role in the passive immunisation of the newborn calf. The occurrence of haemolytic or bactericidal complement activity in bovine colostrum and milk has been demonstrated in several studies. This review deals with the characteristics of bovine Igs and the complement system to be exploited as potential ingredients for health-promoting functional foods.

Keywords

MilkColostrumImmunoglobulinsComplementAntimicrobial activity

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 84 , Issue S1 , November 2000 , pp. 75 - 80
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2000

References

Abraham, GB (1988) Process for preparing antibodies against E. Coli K-99 antigen from bovine milk. US Patent No 4784850, 15 Nov 1988.Google Scholar
Akita, EM & Li-Chan, EC (1998) Isolation of bovine immunoglobulin G subclasses from milk, colostrum, and whey using immobilized egg yolk antibodies. Journal of Dairy Science 81, 54–63.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Al-Mashikhi, SA, Li-Chan, E & Nakai, S (1988) Separation of immunoglobulins and lactoferrin from cheese whey by chelating chromatography. Journal of Dairy Science 71, 1747–1755.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Besser, TE & Gay, CC (1994) The importance of colostrum to the health of the neonatal calf. Veterinary Clinics of North America – Food Animal Practice 10, 107–117.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Born, J & Bhakdi, S (1986) Does complement killE. coli by producing transmural pores? Immunology 59, 139–145.Google Scholar
Brambell, FW (1969) The transmission of immune globulins from the mother to the foetal and newborn young. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 28, 35–41.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brandon, MR & Lascelles, AK (1971) Relative efficiency of absorption of IgG 1, IgG 2, IgA and IgM in the newborn calf. Australian Journal of Experimental Biology and Medical Science 49, 629–633.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Brock, JH, Ortega, F & Pineiro, A (1975) Bactericidal and haemolytic activity of complement in bovine colostrum and serum: effect of proteolytic enzymes and ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (EGTA). Annales of Immunology (Paris) 126, 439–451.Google Scholar
Brock, JH, Pineiro, A & Lampreave, F (1978) The effect of trypsin and chymotrypsin on the antibacterial activity of complement, antibodies, and lactoferrin and transferrin in bovine colostrum. Annales de Recherches Vèterinaires 9, 287–294.Google ScholarPubMed
Brown, EJ, Joiner, KA & Frank, MM (1983) The role of complement in host resistance to bacteria. Springer Seminars in Immunopathology 6, 349–360.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Butler, JE (1974) Immunoglobulins of the mammary secretions. In Lactation, a Comprehensive Treatise, pp.217–225. [BL Larson VL, Smith, editors]. Academic Press: New York.Google Scholar
Butler, JE (1983) Bovine immunoglobulins: an augmented review. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 4, 43–152.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Butler, JE (1986) Biochemistry and biology of ruminant immunoglobulins. Progress in Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology 2, 1–53.Google ScholarPubMed
Butler, JE (1994) Passive immunity and immunoglobulin diversity. Indigenous Antimicrobial Agents of Milk-recent Developments. IDF Special Issue 9404, 4, pp.14–50.Google Scholar
Carroll, EJ (1974) In vitro bactericidal reactions of serums and milks obtained from cows inoculated with selected serum-resistant and serum-sensitive coliform bacteria. American Journal of Veterinary Research 35, 205–211.Google ScholarPubMed
Carroll, EJ & Jain, NC (1969) Bactericidal activity of normal milk, mastitic milk, and colostrum against Aerobacter aerogenes. American Journal of Veterinary Research 30, 1123–1132.Google ScholarPubMed
De Cueninck, BJ (1979) C 142 complement activity and conglutinogen in bovine milk. International Archives of Allergy and Applied Immunology 59, 323–327.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
De Rham, O & Isliker, H (1977) Proteolysis of bovine immunoglobulins. International Archives of Allergy and Applied Immunology 55, 61–69.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dominguez, E, Perez, MD & Calvo, M (1997) Effect of heat treatment on the antigen-binding activity of anti-peroxidase immunoglobulins in bovine colostrum. Journal of Dairy Science 80, 3182–3187.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Eckblad, WP, Hendrix, KM & Olson, DP (1981) Total complement hemolytic activity of colostral whey and sera from dairy cows. Cornell Veterinarian 71, 54–58.Google ScholarPubMed
Ehrlich, P (1892) Über Immunität durch Verebung und Zeugung. Zeitschrift für Hygiene und Infektionskrankheiten 12, 183–203.Google Scholar
Facon, M, Skura, BJ & Nakai, S (1995) Antibodies to a colonization factor of human enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in cow's milk and colostrum. Food Research International 28, 387–396.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fearon, DT (1998) The complement system and adaptive immunity. Seminars in Immunology 10, 355–361.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fukumoto, LR, Li-Chan, E, Kwan, L & Nakai, S (1994) Isolation of immunoglobulins from cheese whey using ultrafiltration and immobilized metal affinity chromatography. Food Research International 27, 335–348.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fukumoto, LR, Skura, BJ & Nakai, S (1994 b) Stability of membrane-sterilized bovine immunoglobulins aseptically added to UHT milk. Journal of Food Science 59, 757–759.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goldman, AS (1993) The immune system of human milk: antimicrobial, antiinflammatory and immunomodulating properties. Pediatric and Infectious Disease Journal 12, 664–671.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Haines, DM, Chelack, BJ & Naylor, JM (1990) Immunoglobulin concentrations in commercially available colostrum supplements for calves. Canadian Veterinary Journal 31, 36–37.Google ScholarPubMed
Hancock, DD (1985) Assessing efficiency of passive immune transfer in dairy herds. Journal of Dairy Science 68, 163–183.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hilpert, H, Brussow, H, Mietens, C, Sidoti, J, Lerner, L & Werchau, H (1987) Use of bovine milk concentrate containing antibody to rotavirus to treat rotavirus gastroenteritis in infants. Journal of Infectious Diseases 156, 158–166.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Holmskov, U & Jensenius, JC (1996) Two bovine collectins: conglutinin and CL-43. In Colletins and Innate Immunity pp. 51–71 [ Ezekowitz, RAB, Sastry, k and Reid, KBM, editor]. Heidelberg, Springer.Google Scholar
Husu, J, Syväoja, E, Ahola-Luttila, H, Kalsta, H, Sivela, S & Kosunen, TU (1993) Production of hyperimmune bovine colostrum against Campylobacter jejuni. Journal of Applied Bacteriology 74, 564–569.Google ScholarPubMed
International Dairy Federation(1991) Significance of the indigenous antimicrobial agents of milk to the dairy industry. IDF Bulletin 264, 2–19.Google Scholar
Jain, NC & Jasper, DE (1967) Phagocytosis and destruction of Aerobacter aerogenes by leukocytes from bovine milk. American Journal of Veterinary Research 28, 405–411.Google ScholarPubMed
Janeway, CAJ (1997) The complement system in humoral immunity Immunobiology: The Immune System in Health and Disease pp.33–35. [Janeway, CAJ, Travers, P, Hunt, S and Walport, M, editor]. London: Current Biology Ltd.Google Scholar
Kelly, CP, Chetman, S, Keates, S, Bostwick, E, Roush, AM, Castagliolo, I, Lamont, JT & Pothoulakis, C (1997) Survival of anti-Clostridium difficile bovine immunoglobulin concentrate in the human gastrointestinal tract. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 41, 236–241.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Korhonen, H (1973) Untersuchungen zur Bakterizidie der Milch und Immunisierung der bovinen Milchdruse. Ph.D Thesis. Finnish Journal of Dairy Science 32, 1–158.Google Scholar
Korhonen, H, Antila, M, Halinen, K & Kouvalainen, K (1977) Untersuchungen zur Erzeugung von Salmonella typhimurium – Antikörpern in Milchkuhen und Herstellung von Antikörperpräparaten. Finnish Journal of Dairy Science 35, 1–28.Google Scholar
Korhonen, H, Syväoja, E-L, Ahola-Luttila, H, Sivelä,, S, Kopola, S, Husu, J & Kosunen, TU (1994) Helicobacter pylori-specific antibodies and bactericidal activity in serum, colostrum and milk of immunised and non immunised cows. In. Indigenous Antimicrobial Agents of Milk – Recent Developments. IDF Special Issue 9404 4, 151–163.Google Scholar
Korhonen, H, Syväoja, E-L, Ahola-Luttila, H, Sivelä, S, Kopola, S, Husu, J & Kosunen, TU (1995) Bactericidal effect of bovine normal and immune serum, colostrum and milk against Helicobacter pylori. Journal of Applied Bacteriology 78, 655–662.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Korhonen, H, Syväoja, E-L, Vasara, E, Kosunen, T & Marnila, P (1998) Pharmaceutical composition, comprising complement proteins, for the treatment of Helicobacter infections and a method for the preparation of the composition. Patentapplication PCT No. W098/00150.Google Scholar
Kothe, N, Dichtelmuller, H, Stephan, W & Echentopf, B (1987) Method of preparing a solution of lactic or colostric immunoglobulins or both and use thereof. US Patent No 4644056, 17 Feb 1987.Google Scholar
Kruse, V (1970) Yield of colostrum and immunoglobulin in cattle at the first milking after parturition. Animal Production 12, 619–626.Google Scholar
Kummer, A, Kitts, DD, Li-Chan, E, Losso, JN, Skura, BJ & Nakai, S (1992) Quantification of bovine IgG in milk using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Food and Agricultural Immunology 4, 93–102.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Larson, BL (1992) Immunoglobulins of the mammary secretions Advanced Dairy Chemistry 1-Proteins pp.231–254. [Fox, PF, editor]. London: Elsevier Science Publishers.Google Scholar
Li-Chan, E, Kummer, A, Losso, JN, Kitts, DD & Nakai, S (1995) Stability of bovine immunoglobulins to thermal treatment and processing. Food Research International 28, 9–16.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lindström, P, Paulsson, M, Nylander, T, Elofsson, U & Lindmark-Mansson, H (1994) The effect of heat treatment on bovine immunoglobulins. Milchwissenschaft 49, 67–70.Google Scholar
Loimaranta, V, Carlen, A, Olsson, J, Tenovuo, J, Syväoja, E & Korhonen, H (1998) Concentrated bovine colostral whey proteins from Streptococcus mutans/Strep. sobrinus immunized cows inhibit the adherence of Strep. mutans and promote the aggregation of mutans streptococci. Journal of Dairy Research 65, 599–607.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Loimaranta, V, Tenovuo, J & Korhonen, H (1998 b) Combined inhibitory effect of bovine immune whey and peroxidase-generated hypothiocyanate against glucose uptake byStreptococcus mutans. Short communication. Oral Microbiology and Immunology 13, 378–381.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Losso, JN, Dhar, J, Kummer, A, Li-Chan, E & Nakai, S (1993) Detection of antibody specificity of raw bovine and human milk to bacterial lipopolysaccharides using PCFIA. Food and Agricultural Immunology 5, 231–239.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McClead, RE & Gregory, SA (1984) Resistance of bovine colostral anti-cholera toxin antibody to in vitro and in vivo proteolysis. Infection and Immunity 44, 474–478.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McFadden, TB & Besser, TE (1997) Regulation of immunoglobulin transfer into mammary secretions of ruminants. In Milk Composition, Production and Biotechnology pp. 133–152. [Barrington, GM, WWelch, DJ, Burns, SR, Davis, SR, Popay, AI and Prosser, CG, editor].Wallingford UK: CAB International.Google Scholar
Mainer, G, Dominguez, E, Randrup, M, Sanchez, L & Calvo, M (1999) Effect of heat treatment on anti-rotavirus activity of bovine immune milk. Journal of Dairy Research 66, 131–137.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mee, JF & Mehra, R (1995) Efficacy of colostrum substitutes and supplements in farm animals. Agro-Food-Industry Hi-Tech 6, 31–35.Google Scholar
Mueller, R, Boothy, JT, Carroll, EJ & Panico, L (1983) Changes of complement values in calves during the first month of life. American Journal of Veterinary Research 44, 747–750.Google ScholarPubMed
Mueller, R, Carroll, EJ & Panico, L (1982) Complement C3 levels and haemolytic activity in normal and mastitic whey. Zentralblatt für Veterinärmedizin, Reihe B 29, 99–106.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Nousiainen, J, Korhonen, H, Syväoja, E, Savolainen, S, Saloniemi, H & Jalonen, H (1994) The effect of colostral immunoglobulin supplement on the passive immunity, growth and health of neonatal calves. Agricultural Science in Finland 3, 421–427.Google Scholar
Pakkanen, R & Aalto, J (1997) Growth factors and microbial factors of bovine colostrum. International Dairy Journal 7, 285–297.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pineiro, A, Ortega, F & Uriel, J (1975) Trypsin inhibitor from cow colostrum. Isolation, electrophoretic characterization and immunologic properties. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 379, 201–206.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Quigley, JD & Drewry, JJ (1998) Nutrient and immunity transfer from cow to calf pre- and postcalving. Journal of Dairy Science 81, 2779–2790.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rainard, P, Poutrel, B & Caffin, JP (1984) Assessment of hemolytic and bactericidal complement activities in normal and mastitic bovine milk. Journal of Dairy Science 67, 614–619.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rautemaa, R & Meri, S (1999) Complement resistance mechanisms of bacteria. Microbes and Infections 1, 785–794.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Regester, GO, Smithers, GW, Mitchell, IR, McIntosh, GH & Dionysis, GH (1997) Bioactive factors in milk: natural and induced Milk Composition, Production and Biotechnology 119–132. [Welch, DJW, Davis, SR, Popay, AI and Prosser, CG, editors]. Wallingford UK: CAB International.Google Scholar
Reiter, B (1985) Protective proteins in milk-biological significance and exploitation. IDF Bulletin 191, 1–35.Google Scholar
Reiter, B & Brock, JH (1975) Inhibition of Escherichia coli by bovine colostrum and post-colostral milk I. Complement-mediated bactericidal activity of antibodies to a serum susceptible strain of E. coli of the stereotype O 111. Immunology 28, 71–82.Google Scholar
Reiter, B & Oram, JD (1967) Bacterial inhibitors in milk and other biological fluids. Nature 216, 328–330.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Roos, N, Mahé, S, Benamouzig, R, Sick, H, Rautureau, J & Tomé, D (1995) 15-N-labeled immunoglobulins from bovine colostrum are partially resistant to digestion in human intestine. Journal of Nutrition 125, 1238–1244.Google Scholar
Staack, C (1992) Bovine colostrum and protection of young animals. Berliner und Munchener Tierarztliche Wochenschrift 105, 219–224.Google Scholar
Stephan, W, Dichtelmüller, H & Lissner, R (1990) Antibodies from colostrum in oral immunotherapy. Journal of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Biochemistry 28, 19–23.Google ScholarPubMed
Stott, GH, Fleenor, WA & Kleese, WC (1981) Colostral immunoglobulin in two fractions of first milking postpartum and five additional milkings. Journal of Dairy Science 64, 459–465.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stott, GH, LucasDO, DO, (1989) Immunologically active whey fraction and recovery process. US Patent No 4834974, 30 May 1989.Google Scholar
Syväoja, E-L, Ahola-Luttila, HK, Kalsta, H, Matilainen, MH, Laakso, S, Husu, JR & Kosunen, TU (1994) Concentration of Campylobacter-specific antibodies in the colostrum of immunized cows. Milchwissenschaft 49, 27–31.Google Scholar
Tabel, H (1996) Alternative pathway of complement in ruminants: role in infection. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 54, 117–121.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Takahashi, N, Eisenhuth, G, Lee, I, Laible, N, Binion, S & Schachtele, C (1992) Immunoglobulins in milk frim cows immunized with oral strains of Actinomyces,Prevotella, Porphyromonas and Fusobacterium. Journal of Dental Research 71, 1509–1515.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Triglia, R (1980) Titers of nine complement components, conglutinin and C3b-inactivator in adult and fetal bovine sera. Molecular Immunology 17, 729–740.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Turner, WM (1996) Mannose-binding lectin – the pluripotent molecule of the innate immune system. Immunology Today 17, 532–540.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Virtanen, S, Syväoja, E-L, Loimaranta, V & Korhonen, H (1998) Stability of activity of bovine colostrum derived anti-caries streptococci antibodies added to a UHT milk product. In European Dairy Experts Symposium: Dairying behind the Dikes, 15–18 September 1998 Arnhem, The Netherlands, Book of Abstracts, p. 38.Google Scholar
Walport, M, I, Roitt, J, Brostoff, D, Male & D, Zack (1996) Complement Immunology 12–17.Google Scholar
Yolken, RH, Losonsky, G, Vonderfecht, S, Leister, F & Wee, S-B (1985) Antibody to human rotavirus in cow's milk. New England Journal of Medicine 312, 605–610.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zinkernagel, RM, Hilpert, H & Gerber, H (1972) The digestion of colostral bovine immunoglobulins in infants. Experientia 28, 741.Google Scholar